Hot billet sampler

ABSTRACT

Method and apparatus for rapidly and economically obtaining test samples from hot metal members which includes a unique tool having coacting jaw members with cutting bits mounted thereon.

United States Patent Flinchbaugh 1451 Sept. 30, 1975 [54] HOT BILLET SAMPLER 2,499 433 3/l950 Waite et al 73/425 UX 2.939.210 6 I960 C 73 421 R UX [75] Inventor: Dean A. F linchbaugh, Bethlehem, V

Pa. FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 73 Assignee; Bethlehem Steel Corporation, 357,025 9/1931 United Kingdom 73/424 Bethlehem, Pa. Primary Examiner-Charles A Ruehl [22] Fncd' 1974 Assistant E.\'aminer.lohn S. Appleman [21 App]. No.: 431,815 Attorney, Agent, or Firm.loseph J. OKeefe; Michael J. Delaney; Anson W. Biggs [52] US. Cl. 731/424; 73/421 R [51] Int. Cl.- GOIN 1/04 [57] ABSTRACT [58] meld of Search 73/421 fig'fij Method and apparatus for rapidly and economically obtaining test samples from hot metal members which includes a unique tool having coacting jaw members [56] References Cited with cutting bits mounted thereon.

UNITED STATES PATENTS I.448,758 3/1923 Martin 4. 73/424 6 Claims 5 Drawing Figures nil WIIIIIIIIIIIIl/IIIII/I III I I l US. Patent Sheet 1 of 2 Sept. 30,1975

U.S. Patent Sept. 30,1975 Sheet 2 of2 3,908,464

nor BILLET SAMPLER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for obtaining test samples from hot billets and, more particularly, for removing a section of metal from an end of a hot billet before the billet is transferred from the run-out table to the hot bed of a rolling mill.

conventionally all of the billets rolled from an ingot are delivered to a stamping station and are stamped on the sheared face with the assumed true identification of the ingot. Occasionally the ingots become mixed and therefore the billets rolled therefrom are inadvertently stamped incorrectly. The normal procedure to check for such mixes involves burning off the end of the billet and stamping a temporary identification on the billet. The billets are then held in temporary storage until a check is made of the chemical analysis. When the analysis is verified, the billets are restamped with the correct identification and released for further processing. This procedure is costly and time consuming. Economi cal on-line sampling could be performed if a suitable hot metal sampler were available.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a method and apparatus to obtain samples rapidly and economically from hot billets for chemical analyses.

A further object of this invention is to provide a method and apparatus to obtain samples from hot billets without destroying the identification stamping.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a method and apparatus for on-line sampling of hot billets.

The instant invention accomplishes the foregoing objects by furnishing a unique apparatus for removing a metal sample from the end periphery of a hot billet. The apparatus comprises a pair of coacting powered jaws for taking a biteshaped sample.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an elevation view partly in cross-section of the general arrangement of the apparatus of this invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the head portion of the apparatus showing the coacting jawsin the full bite position on the periphery of a hot billet.

FIG. 3 is a view showing the shape of one cutting bit of the apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a view showing the shape of a sample of metal removed from the periphery of an end of a billet by the cutting bits of the coacting jaws.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the FIGURES and particularly to FIG. 1, the instant invention, whichis directed to a device adapted to take a sample bite of metal from the end ofa hot steel member. e.g.. a billet. will now be described in detail. The device comprises. generally. an elongated sampler body member 10, a pair of operatlvely connected coacting jaw members 18 and 18' mounted on one end 12 ofthe sampler body 10, actuating means 15 removably attached to the coaeting jaw members 18 and 18 for actuation thereof and support carriage 11. A pair of handles 17 is provided on the opposite end 13 of sampler body member 10 to facilitate manipulation of the sampling device by the operator to be further described in detail hereinafter. An operating pushbutton control station 33 is mounted on member 10 adjacent the handles 17 for controlling mechanism 15.

The support carriage 11, which comprises cradle or channel member 14, a pair of cylindrical slideways or upper tracks 16 and a lower slide or track 19, is pivotally mounted near the jaw end 12 of the sampler body 10 on trunnion 20. The free end 21 of channel member 14 rests on any convenient supporting structure 22 as e.g., the extension of a work table when not in operation. Trunnion 20 is adjustably mounted on trunnion plate 23 which is adapted to be slideably engaged with tracks 24 which are conveniently mounted on the stampers shanty structure 26 below and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the sampler body member 10. Tracks 24 are mounted for vertical adjustment as by adjusting screws 25 on track base 27. This vertical adjustment coupled with the tilting motion afforded by the pivotal mounting on trunnion 20 allows the operator a wide range of up and down movement of the jaw end 12 of the sampler 10 to accommodate a wide range of sizes of billets.

The upper tracks 16 which are cylindrical slideways, as e.g., steel shafting, are fixedly mounted on cradle channel member 14 and adapted to permit sliding movement of sampler body member 10 thereon as will be presently understood by those skilled in the art. Lower track 19 which is cylindrical in shape and may be steel shafting or pipe, is fixedly attached to the underside of sampler body member 10 and spaced therefrom by means of track supports 32. Bearing support 28 is fixedly mounted at the free end 21 of the cradle channel member 14 for slideably supporting lower track 19 therein. The jaw end 12 of the sampler body member 10 is slideably supported on upper track 16 by means of slide members 31 removably attached to the member 10. A stop collar 29 is provided on the end of lower track 19 adjacent the handle end of sampler body member 10. Similarly, stop collars 30 are provided on the upper pair of tracks 16 adjacent the free end 21 of cradle'l4. The purpose for these collars will be presently understood through the description of the operation hereinafter.

Referring now to FIG. 2 the jaw end 12 of the sampler 10 will be more fully describedlaws l8 and 18' are each pivotally mounted within bifurcated end portion 12 which comprises a pair of plates attached as by welding to the tubular member 10. One end of pivotally mounted jaw member 18 is attached to the rod end 40 of double acting hydraulic cylinder body 41 of the actuating mechanism 15. Similarly one end of jaw member 18' is anchored to the cylinder body 41. Mounted on the other ends of jaw members 18 and 18' are jaw bits 42 which are removably attached as by bolting thereto.

The jaw bits 42 are substantially U-shaped to simulate the human jaws as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The bits 42 are removable and are made from an alloy which is shock resistant with high temperature hardness. They are replaced when the cutting edges 43 wear and are either refurbished or discarded. The jaws l8 and 18' are designed so that the cutting edges 43 of the bits 42 have a small clearance 44 between them when the jaws 18 and 18' are completely closed as shown in FIG. 2.-

Asample of metal S removed by the jaws from workpiece W is shown in FIG. 5 and clearly shows a ridge of metal 45 that has not been cut by the jaws. This small portion of metal easily fractures from the main billet when the sampler device is withdrawn.

The jaws 18 and 18 are further provided with toothed edge portions 50 and 50' respectively which mesh during pivoting of the jaws about their respective axes to insure accurate alignment of the respective cutting edges 43 of the jaw bits 42 when taking a bite of sampled material.

In operation: As hereinbefore described, a plurality of hot billets is delivered to a stamping station for applying an identifying stamp to the sheared end face thereof. The plurality of billets is gathered in parallel relationship in front of the stampers shanty 26 with the sheared ends substantially in alignment. The sampling device of the instant invention is mounted as hereinbefore described in the stampers shanty behind a protective glass shield (not shown) so that the operator can work safely while avoiding the hazard of working over hot workpieces.

The operator, desirous of obtaining a sample from a hot metal member, as e.g., a billet W, lifts the sampler body member 10, by means of the handles 17, off of the supporting table on which the device rests when not in operation. The operator opens the coacting jaws l8, 18 by means of the pushbutton control 33 which directs hydraulic fluid through hydraulic lines 36 into one end or the other of the double acting cylinder 41. With the coacting jaws 18, 18 fully opened, the sampler body member is moved toward the billets through an opening in the stamper's shanty whereupon slide member 31 supporting the jaw end 12 of member 10 slides on upper tracks 16. At the same time lower track 19 which is hung from member 10 supports the handle end 13 of member 10 on bearing support 28, the track 19 sliding therethrough. Stop means 29 on the end of track 19 limits its forward movement and thereby the forward limit of the coacting jaws 18, 18'.

When the fully open jaws l8, 18' are positioned on the edge of a hot metal member the coacting jaws 18,

18' are caused to close toward each other by the operator actuating the hydraulic mechanism 15 to so close the jaws. The cutting edges 43 of the jaw bits 42 cut a sample bite S of metal from the workpiece W without closing completely as seen at 44. The U-shaped configuration of the jaw bits 42 as seen in FIGSQ3 and 4 permits the sample to be stored until it is discharged from the bits. Withdrawal of the member 10 with coacting jaws l8, 18' mounted thereon and the bits 42 thereof engaging a sample bite S causes the sample S to fracture from the workpiece W. The operator retracts the member 10 from the workpiece W into the stampers shanty until the coacting jaws l8, 18' are positioned above sample receiver tray 35, which is conveniently mounted on cradle channel member 14, where the sample is deposited by opening the jaws l8, 18'.

Movement of the device laterally of the hot metal members or billets W is accomplished by the operator sliding the device laterally on tracks 24 to any desired position within the limits of the track length.

Rearward movement of the device is limited by contact between slide members 31 and stop collars 30. It is clear from the description and the figures that a wide range of sizes of billets can be accommodated through the various adjustments, as e.g., the vertical adjustment screws 25 which raise and lower the tracks 24 and the tilting of the jaws l8 and 18' about trunnion 20.

The unique invention hereinbefore described thus provides an economical means for on-line sampling of hot metal members.

I claim:

l..An improved method of obtaining a test sample from a hot metal member which comprises:

a. providing a sampling tool having a pair of coacting jaw members including cutting bits mounted thereon,

b. engaging an edge of said hot metal member between said jaw members while said jaw members are open, and

c. causing said coacting jaw members to close toward each other to cut a test sample from said hot metal member.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein said sampling tool is adjustable for movement toward and away from said hot metal member.

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein said cutting bits are replaceable.

4. A method of obtaining a test sample from a hot metal member comprising:

a. providing a sampling tool having a pair of coacting jaw members including cutting bits mounted thereon,

b. engaging an edge of said hot metal member between said jaw members while said jaw members are open,

c. causing said coacting jaw members to close toward each other to cut a test sample from said hot metal member,

d. withdrawing said sampling tool from said hot metal member, and

e. retracting said coacting jaw members to release said testsample. I

5. The method according to claim 4 wherein said hot metal members is a steel billet,

said sampling tool is operable from a location which allows the operator of said sampling tool to avoid contact with heat given off by said steel billet, and

said test sample has approximately the shape of a spherical wedge.

6. Apparatus for taking a test sample from a hot metal billet or the like comprising:

a. a support member,

b. a pair of coacting jaw members pivotally mounted on said support,

c. a substantially U-shaped jaw bit removably attached at one end of each jaw member such that when said jaw members are closed the cutting edges of the jaw bits do not contact each other,

toothed edge portions on each jaw member adapted for meshing during movement of said jaw members to insure alignment of said jaw bits,

e. a power cylinder pivotally attached to the other end of one of said jaw members with the piston rod of said power cylinder pivotally attached to the other end of the other jaw member,

f. first track means for said support member to slide said jaw members toward and away from said hot metal billet,

g. second track means for said support member to slide said jaw members laterally of said hot metal billet, and

but to a sufficient depth so that movement of said jaw members away from said hot metal billet removes a substantially spherical wedge shaped test sample from said hot metal billet. 

1. An improved method of obtaining a test sample from a hot metal member which comprises: a. providing a sampling tool having a pair of coacting jaw members including cutting bits mounted thereon, b. engaging an edge of said hot metal member between said jaw members while said jaw members are open, and c. causing said coacting jaw members to close toward each other to cut a test sample from said hot metal member.
 2. The method according to claim 1 wherein said sampling tool is adjustable for movement toward and away from said hot metal member.
 3. The method according to claim 1 wherein said cutting bits are replaceable.
 4. A method of obtaining a test sample from a hot metal member comprising: a. providing a sampling tool having a pair of coacting jaw members including cutting bits mounted thereon, b. engaging an edge of said hot metal member between said jaw meMbers while said jaw members are open, c. causing said coacting jaw members to close toward each other to cut a test sample from said hot metal member, d. withdrawing said sampling tool from said hot metal member, and e. retracting said coacting jaw members to release said test sample.
 5. The method according to claim 4 wherein said hot metal members is a steel billet, said sampling tool is operable from a location which allows the operator of said sampling tool to avoid contact with heat given off by said steel billet, and said test sample has approximately the shape of a spherical wedge.
 6. Apparatus for taking a test sample from a hot metal billet or the like comprising: a. a support member, b. a pair of coacting jaw members pivotally mounted on said support, c. a substantially U-shaped jaw bit removably attached at one end of each jaw member such that when said jaw members are closed the cutting edges of the jaw bits do not contact each other, d. toothed edge portions on each jaw member adapted for meshing during movement of said jaw members to insure alignment of said jaw bits, e. a power cylinder pivotally attached to the other end of one of said jaw members with the piston rod of said power cylinder pivotally attached to the other end of the other jaw member, f. first track means for said support member to slide said jaw members toward and away from said hot metal billet, g. second track means for said support member to slide said jaw members laterally of said hot metal billet, and h. means to supply power to said power cylinder when said jaw members are in contact with an edge of said hot metal billet to close said jaw members and cut into said hot metal billet without causing contact between the cutting edges of said jaw bits but to a sufficient depth so that movement of said jaw members away from said hot metal billet removes a substantially spherical wedge shaped test sample from said hot metal billet. 